Steven Naismith says Scotland face a ‘play-off before the qualifiers’.

Scotland is seeking to reach the men’s World Cup finals for the first time since 1998.

“The biggest thing I noticed is that there is a real understanding of what it takes to succeed,” said Naismith, the former Scotland striker.

“Qualifying for both Euros has been very valuable for this team. You can now see that there is a focus and understanding that ‘we need to do this to get to a major tournament’.

“We have a team that has had great success here. In four seasons we have reached the World Cup qualifiers, won two Euros and have a real chance of qualifying for the World Cup as well.

“Football is what the country lives and breathes. The Scots are really emotional, so it can be difficult sometimes. What has shown is that when we are united, the fans are ready for it, the players are ready for it and with the manager in charge, we have been really successful.

“We’ve been in two major tournaments and we probably didn’t do them justice in those two tournaments and what an opportunity to make massive history and get to the World Cup.

“I grew up watching the last tournament in France ’98. The generation that supports Scotland now has seen two major tournaments and probably now a World Cup. There was definitely a different mentality and expectation from everyone. That’s why we are a good nation that has had success and we hope that continues.”